3 Cities for Budget Travellers: Vol. 2

Three more cities that are easily enjoyed by backpackers on a budget!

The places we choose to highlight in this series are backpacker budget friendly due to their public transport systems, accessibility by train or bus, affordable amenities, and of course, the availability of free or close-to-free sights & experiences to be had.

1. Trencin, Slovakia

Just a few hours by train outside of Bratislava, Trencin is a lovely, quiet spot in the countryside. You can feel like the only tourist in the village while you explore the old town and nearby castles, one of which was home to the murderous medieval queen Elizabeth Bathory, the so-called “real” inspiration for Dracula. Besides this dark part of the local history, the town of Trencin itself is very affordable, friendly, and full of cafes and quiet places to get away from the bigger cities in Europe. It’s smaller, local castle is a great place to bring the kids if nearby Cachtice is a bit too… intense.

2. Jaipur, India

India is high on the list of “bang for your buck” destinations. Jaipur is a big place, but there is so much to see. The “pink city” is surrounded by antiquities like the Amer/Amber Fort and the Water Palace, while the old city itself has winding streets of shops, cafes, & industry that seem to come from another time. Depending on your budget, it can be great to hire a tuktuk/rickshaw driver for a few hours each day to take you around to the sights you want to see.

3. Quito, Ecuador

Quito is a bustling, energetic city. It balances new and old beautifully, with brilliantly restored colonial sights like the Basílica del Voto Nacional, and Ecuador’s most ornate church, La Compañía de Jesús. Quito’s Old Town is worth spending several days wandering through, and enjoying excellent local street and cafe food is easy on the budget, while the surrounding mountains and volcanos remind you that you are in one of the most beautiful and wild places on earth.